Why does Pa. outlaw a medicine that would help me? PennLive letters

I was diagnosed with dementia about four years ago. Symptoms preceded the diagnosis by several years and caused me to take an early disability retirement. Existing medication only works for a finite length of time, that varies from patient to patient. I may have as little as three years to recognize my children and grand-children.

Medical marijuana is known to extend the cognitive lifespan. Gov. Corbett has said he will categorically refuse to sign any law legalizing medical marijuana. Congresswoman Schwarz has yet to make her positon clear. John Hanger knows we are enforcing laws passed without benefit of current medical evidence and wants to use it for the public good.

Our federal government refuses to recognize overwhelming new evidence contradicting current policy. To address this disservice to their citizens, 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Another 15 states, including Pennsylvania, have pending legislation to legalize medical marijuana in 2014. Amazingly, legalizing it lowers health care costs by allowing the patient or caregiver opportunity to grow their necessary supply.

The May primaries are near. We all need to become aware of what's at stake for our personal future. If it happened to me, it can happen to you.